How can we apply the father's approach to Jesus in our prayer life? Setting the Scene: A Father Kneels before the Savior “When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.” (Matthew 17:14) The narrative paints a vivid picture: a father desperate for his son’s deliverance drops to his knees before Jesus. His posture and words reveal the heart of effective prayer. --- Key Traits in the Father’s Approach • Humility: Kneeling signals submission and recognition of Christ’s authority. • Urgency: The father wastes no time; he presses through the crowd the moment Jesus arrives. • Faith—however fragile: He believes Jesus can help, even though his faith is mixed with doubt (Mark 9:24). • Specific intercession: He identifies the need—his son’s distress—without vague generalities. • Perseverance: Though the disciples could not help (Matthew 17:16), he does not give up; he appeals directly to Jesus. --- Bringing These Traits into Personal Prayer 1. Kneel—literally or figuratively • Psalm 95:6: “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” • Bowing the body, or at least the heart, reminds us Who is on the throne. 2. Come quickly and continually • Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” • Urgency keeps prayer from becoming a last resort. 3. Offer faith—even if small • Matthew 17:20 assures that mustard-seed faith moves mountains. • Bring what faith you have; Jesus receives imperfect faith and grows it. 4. Pray specifically • Philippians 4:6: “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • Name the need, just as the father named his son’s affliction. 5. Persevere when answers delay • Luke 18:1–8 shows Jesus affirming persistent prayer. • If trusted helpers fail (as the disciples did), keep pressing toward Christ Himself. --- Practical Steps for Daily Prayer • Begin by acknowledging Christ’s lordship—kneel physically if possible. • State your request plainly, naming people and situations. • Confess any wavering faith; echo “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). • Thank Him in advance, expressing confidence in His power. • Return to the matter until the burden lifts or the answer comes. --- Encouragement from Related Passages • 1 Peter 5:6-7—Humbling ourselves under God’s mighty hand opens the way for His care. • James 5:16—The earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, reinforcing persistence. • Psalm 34:17—“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.” The father’s experience mirrors this promise. --- Living It Out Approach Jesus the way this father did—humbly, urgently, specifically, and persistently. The same Savior who answered then stands ready to answer now, honoring even mustard-seed faith expressed at His feet. |
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